While co-workers maintain they are simply trying to be good "sa-marrying-tons," a tinge of jealousy could also be at play.

"I guess you could laugh at it both ways," said Lynch, admitting that married people sometimes draw vicariously on the exploits of their single friends. "Married people live through their single friends, but at some point they also want their single friends to get married.

"Dating is an important part of what goes on in Utah County, and at 31, it's like he's at a ripe, old age."

So, what does Archibald think of the unsolicited attention? It appears he isn't worried about going winless in the love department.

"I'm not overly concerned about (marriage). I'm pretty happy right now," Archibald said. "I'd like to get married, but it's not a concern."

But it is a topic that is hard to avoid now that his friends are in the game.

"A good part of my day is spent explaining this to people," Archibald said. "The thing I want people to know is, I'm not involved in it. It wasn't my idea, and I didn't know about it until I saw the billboard."

Prior to the billboard, Archibald's main claim to Utah County fame involved his hero's role in BYU's lone win in the thoroughly forgettable 1996-97 campaign that saw the Cougars go 1-25 and cost Roger Reid his coaching job.

A skinny shooting guard who began his BYU career as a walk-on, Archibald was a sophomore in 1996 when he drained five treys and scored 24 points in the 64-61 barnburner win against Utah State University that saved the Cougs from the ignominy of a winless season.

Is there another hot streak waiting in the wings?

Thus far, the Web site has received more than 1,500 hits, and a couple of women have already tossed their hats into the ring to be considered for a date with Archibald.

"We're still taking submissions," Bates said. "As much as we thought it'd be funny, we're serious about this."

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Contributing: Jeff Call

E-mail: jaskar@desnews.com